Ariana gives a short bark of laughter. “Andreas is such an idiot, and you’re going to be married to him for the rest of your life.”
“You don’t have to sound so happy about it.”
“I’ll take my pleasures where I can find them.” She regards me with cold eyes. “I never breathed a word about you and Damiano to anyone. I think you’re both disgusting, but I kept my mouth shut.”
“I know. Thank you.”
“I didn’t do it for you. I did it for me.”
Mom is still in deep conversation with the salesperson and shows no sign that she’ll be finished anytime soon. “If you wanted to keep riding horses after you’re married, I’m sure Cristiano won’t stop you. If you’re not ready for children, take birth control. Secretly, if you have to. I’m going to.”
It’s a wife’s duty to give her husband her body, but that doesn’t mean I’ll pretend to enjoy it, and I’m not having his children. There’s almost no divorce in our world, but if Andreas thinks I’m barren, there’s a slim chance he’ll eventually get rid of me. But knowing my luck, he’ll suggest we adopt instead, like Mom and Dad did.
Ariana gives me an incredulous look. “Horses and getting pregnant? You really think that’s what I’m upset about?”
“Isn’t it?”
“You have no idea about anything, Lucy. Keeping the peace in that house was a full-time job. A job you made so much harder. Not you and Damiano.You, Lucy. You’re always provoking Mom and talking back to Dad. Whenever you’ve angered them, I’ve been the one to placate them. If Mom and Dad are angry, I’m the one who suffers. You’re so selfish.”
“How are you the one who suffers?” I ask incredulously.
“Because when they’re angry, I have no freedom. They want to know where I’ve been and who I’ve been with. They’re cranky. Suspicious. You might have no life outside our brother, but I’ve been trying to live mine, and you made it so much harder. I know you think my life is shallow. Shopping and horses, right?” She laughs humorlessly. “I’ve worked so hard to make everyone think that I’m the sweetest, most well-behaved little Barone girl ever, so secretly, I can live my real life. All I wanted was some time to myself before I had to do my duty. A few more years to call my own before I marry someone of Mom and Dad’s choosing. You ruined that, Lucy. You took my life away from me.” She’s fighting tears, and her hands are clenched in her lap.
“I don’t understand. What life did I take away from you?”
“None of your business,” she says bitterly, glaring around at all the wedding dresses as though she hates each and every one of them even more than I do. “I don’t need or want you standing up to Mom for me. It’s too late. Don’t even talk to me from now on.”
“Fine,” I say under my breath. “Forget I said anything.”
“Easy. I never think about you anyway.”
Mom finally finishes her conversation and returns to us, her eyes bright with purpose. “Let’s go, girls. Lingerie next. There’s a boutique across the street.”
I’m getting to my feet, but I freeze. “More shopping?”
“You seem to think we have all the time in the world to plan this wedding, Lucy. We are on a strict deadline. Let’s go.”
Ariana follows obediently, and I trail after them. We’ve just started planning my wedding, and I’m already over it. And what does she mean, strict deadline? As far as I’m aware, we don’t have a venue booked yet.
Gerardo, our bodyguard, escorts us across the street to the lingerie boutique. He’s one of Dad’s most trusted capos, and he’sbeen with the family for fifteen years. Lately, I’ve been paying more attention to who Dad assigns to protect us.
The lingerie boutique is called Seraphina’s, and it’s all silk and lace and soft lighting. As the style of Ariana’s gown hasn’t been decided on yet, she gets a reprieve from trying on lingerie. Meanwhile, I’m kitted out with a full bridal set. There’s nothing demure and well-bred about the lingerie. The sheer corset, thong, and suspenders set is sexy as hell. Thank heavens Mom doesn’t insist that I model them for her.
I stand before the mirror in the changing room, hating that Andreas is going to be the one who sees me wearing this lingerie. Andreas is going to be the man who takes off my wedding gown after the reception, and his clumsy, pawing hands will touch my body. Most of all, I hate that Andreas is going to be the man who takes my virginity.
My skin crawls just thinking about it. I hurriedly take off the lingerie and put my clothes back on.
When I emerge from the changing room, Mom is holding up a white silk negligee. “What about this for the wedding night?”
“It’s fine.”
“Fine?” She frowns. “Lucy, you need to show some enthusiasm.”
Before I can respond, the boutique door chimes. I glance over and my stomach drops.
Andreas.
He’s wearing one of his perfectly tailored suits, all charm and confidence as he spots us and crosses the boutique.
